About Me

The first kind of honesty is honesty with myself. If I am honest with myself, there need be no situation in which I am not honest with others.
If someone does not believe me, if someone distrusts me, perhaps it is a sign that I need to check myself. Instead of blaming them, I should realise this, and look where I have gone wrong.
Honesty does not mean simply speaking your mind. Honesty means to be very clear about everything going on inside you. Where there is honesty, feelings become pure and clean.
When we have the virtue of honesty, there will be clarity reflected in our words; they will be filled with the power of truth, and spoken with ease and without hesitation.
Think before you speak and choose your words with care. Flavour your conversation with vibrant words and expressions. Heighten your perception and live a rich and vivid existence.
Thought for reflection: Genuine honesty cultivated within you is what will reach out and touch others.

Saturday, June 21, 2008

God grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change; courage to change the things I can; and wisdom to know the difference.

Living one day at a time; Enjoying one moment at a time; Accepting hardships as the pathway to peace; Taking, as He did, this sinful world as it is, not as I would have it; Trusting that He will make all things right if I surrender to His Will; That I may be reasonably happy in this life and supremely happy with Him Forever in the next. Amen.

Wednesday, June 18, 2008

If I ever had the chance to observe a teacher trainee, I must remember to motivate her/him besides simply commenting on her/his method of teaching.

Last Monday, I was observed, and I did not do so well, which was expected. So I have two full pages of comments on how to become a better teacher.

I must say that I was really down that time. I didn't blame the lecturer because what she said is true.

But the thought to change profession does cross my mind. For a moment, I was telling myself, "Why do I choose to become a teacher? I am terrible in this! Why not engineer, doctor, accountant, lawyer?"

The things that I had learned in college doesn't apply here. First, in college, using a projector is counted as a teaching aid. But it is impossible to do so here. The projector and laptop are in a special room, and there are only chairs without tables. Learning cannot be done.

Secondly, students normally have a hard time to understand what you are talking about in English. Most activities like presentation cannot be done smoothly.

Thirdly, the students are either too noisy or too passive. The micro teaching in college never prepares me to face such problem as the 'fake students' are simply too brilliant and good.

Today, my mentor observes me. I still does badly. (can I actually become a teacher?) But she gives me some motivation together with the comments, so I don't feel too bad.

Being a teacher trainee, there are moments when I love the teaching experience, there are moments when I dread it because I doubt my ability to teach. I need guidance, advice and motivation - I'm glad I have an excellent mentor.

While doing sit-in in some classes, I enjoy talking to the students and listening to their stories. Listening to students' stories reignites my dream when I was still in secondary school - to be a counselor. I notice that I walk lighter and feeling better after chatting with the students. Even after a good teaching and learning process in a class does not give me such good feelings.

Friday, June 13, 2008

MAS and AirAsia are now currently busy promoting their own airlines. I support AirAsia. For those who have keep with the news, you should know very well that MAS use pretty dirty tactics in luring customers.

When KLIA was officially launched several years back, there was simply not enough runways and gates for AirAsia to land their planes. Hence, there is a constant delay in their flights schedule. Since KLIA unofficially belongs to MAS, it is without doubt that their planes were given more priority than AirAsia.

But the people said AirAsia service is lousy and the flights are always delayed.

Bad news die hard. AirAsia seldom faces delay anymore after the toil and sweat to build a new terminal (LCCT) is finally approved by the government. Until now, I still listen to people saying that AirAsia service is unsatisfying. Years ago, that is true. But now, not anymore. During my many experience with AirAsia, my flights were never delayed.

Before LCCT was constructed, AirAsia, seeing that KLIA is insufficient to provide for huge amount of plane traffic, and therefore proposed to use/buy/rent the Subang Terminal.

Government says NO. They said that they aim KLIA to be the main hub for planes. This purpose would not be achieved if AirAsia moved to Subang. They claim as well that since Subang is nearer, more customers will be attracted to AirAsia and MAS business might suffer. Instead, the government intends to change Subang Terminal into a place to fix planes.

Yet, now, Firefly (belongs to MAS) is currently operating at Subang, with advertisement splashing all over the national newspaper saying - 'And we are nearer - at Subang Terminal'.

MAS has a new plan. Following AirAsia's steps, MAS is slashing their flight price as well. And at the very same flight route where AirAsia is promoting zero fare as well. There are so many other flight routes, yet MAS decides to go all out to steal customers from AirAsia.

AirAsia has limited flight routes. They are facing difficulty to get approval to fly some route for their competitor does not want them to steal all their business. Dirty tactics.

Today, I saw a red advertisement promoting zero fare to go to Bangkok. My first impression is that it is another promotion from AirAsia. Looking closer, it is actually a promotion from MAS Airlines.

Tuesday, June 10, 2008

Few months ago, I bought 45 mini Doraemon short books. A week ago, I had finished reading all the books, and learning a lot of Chinese characters on the way.

I am curious to know more about Doraemon. Hence, I go to Wikipedia to search for more info. There are three endings for this famous manga character. Below is the most acceptable by all. Enjoy. It is sad to see such a great comic has finally come to an end.